Acts 1-2

Acts 1-2Common English Bible (CEB)

The risen Jesus with his disciples

1 Theophilus, the first scroll I wrote concerned everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning,2 right up to the day when he was taken up into heaven. Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen.3 After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom.4 While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me:5 John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”

7 Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority.8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

9 After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight.10 While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them.11 They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a sabbath day’s journey away.13 When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, Alphaeus’ son; Simon the zealot; and Judas, James’ son—14 all were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

A replacement for Judas

15 During this time, the family of believers was a company of about one hundred twenty persons. Peter stood among them and said,16 “Brothers and sisters, the scripture that the Holy Spirit announced beforehand through David had to be fulfilled. This was the scripture concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.17 This happened even though he was one of us and received a share of this ministry.”(18 In fact, he bought a field with the payment he received for his injustice. Falling headfirst, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines spilled out.19 This became known to everyone living in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Hakeldama, or “Field of Blood.”)20 “It is written in the Psalms scroll,

21 “Therefore, we must select one of those who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus lived among us,22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when Jesus was taken from us. This person must become along with us a witness to his resurrection.”23 So they nominated two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.

24 They prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s deepest thoughts and desires. Show us clearly which one you have chosen from among these two25 to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”26 When they cast lots, the lot fell on Matthias. He was added to the eleven apostles.

Pentecost

2 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting.3 They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them.4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

5 There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages.7 They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them?8 How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language?9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism),11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!”12 They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?”13 Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”

14 Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words!15 These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning!16 Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 In the last days, God says,I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy.Your young will see visions.Your elders will dream dreams.18 Even upon my servants, men and women,I will pour out my Spirit in those days,and they will prophesy.19 I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens aboveand signs on the earth below,blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.20 The sun will be changed into darkness,and the moon will be changed into blood,before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes.21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.[c]

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man whose credentials God proved to you through miracles, wonders, and signs, which God performed through him among you. You yourselves know this.23 In accordance with God’s established plan and foreknowledge, he was betrayed. You, with the help of wicked men, had Jesus killed by nailing him to a cross.24 God raised him up! God freed him from death’s dreadful grip, since it was impossible for death to hang on to him.25 David says about him,

I foresaw that the Lord was always with me;because he is at my right hand I won’t be shaken.26 Therefore, my heart was gladand my tongue rejoiced.Moreover, my body will live in hope,27 because you won’t abandon me to the grave,nor permit your holy one to experience decay.28 You have shown me the paths of life;your presence will fill me with happiness.[d]

29 “Brothers and sisters, I can speak confidently about the patriarch David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day.30 Because he was a prophet, he knew that God promised him with a solemn pledge to seat one of his descendants on his throne.31 Having seen this beforehand, David spoke about the resurrection of Christ, that he wasn’t abandoned to the grave, nor did his body experience decay.[e]32 This Jesus, God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.33 He was exalted to God’s right side and received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit. He poured out this Spirit, and you are seeing and hearing the results of his having done so.34 David didn’t ascend into heaven. Yet he says,

The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right side,35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’[f]

36 “Therefore, let all Israel know beyond question that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

37 When the crowd heard this, they were deeply troubled. They said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39 This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away—as many as the Lord our God invites.”40 With many other words he testified to them and encouraged them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”41 Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. God brought about three thousand people into the community on that day.

Community of believers

42 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.43 A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.44 All the believers were united and shared everything.45 They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them.46 Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity.47 They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.

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